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Noir In Color

So here we are … it is the end of November. This post was originally meant to be part of a series in association with the celebration known as “Noirvember” but alas life gets away from you sometimes and plans go awry.

But have no fear – I hereby present you with a condensed version of the series.

The idea being that while we often associate the film noir movement with stylized, moody expressionistic angles in black and white cinematography, there were more than a handful of gritty, evocative pieces during the peak period of this movement (I am looking at you, 1940s and 1950s) that were shot in color. The main thing is that these films evoke a mood

Here are just a few films that I feel are worth your consideration if noir is your thing:

 

Leave Her To Heaven (1945). I have mentioned this film on several occasions but it goes without saying that this is a must-see Technicolor piece noted by the wonderful performance of Gene Tierney that not only shows the full force of her acting powers but is really disturbing on so many levels.

LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN - American Poster 3

 

Niagara (1953). Two couples meet at the honeymooner’s paradise (especially at that time), but dreams are dashed when the merry holidaymaking becomes a murderous nightmare. Starring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotten, and Jean Peters. Directed by Henry Hathaway.

niagara

 

A Kiss Before Dying (1956). While not an absolute favorite of mine, this film is notable for being one of Joanne Woodward’s first films. In it, she plays an ill-fated heiress caught in the grasp of cunning, socially ambitious go-getter Robert Wagner. Also starring Jeffrey Hunter. An ill-advised and poorly received remake was made in 1991.

Poster - A Kiss Before Dying_01

 

In my “research” (yeah, I actually do a little digging around before my self-described ‘brain dumps’) there were other films (mostly Hitchcock thrillers) that while some may categorize them as “noir,” I chose not to include on the list for purely subjective reasons. But that is the thing — one of the many great issues of debate among cineastes and film scholars alike is how exactly does one define what is considered noir. As I mentioned in my 2014 piece on Leave Her to Heaven, I like the definition offered on AMC’s Filmsite Website. But note: various other opinions on the subject are available.

Seen any of these films? Think I am missing something? Hit the comments section and let me know what you think.

 

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Latest Obsession: “You Must Remember This” Podcast

Thanks to a recommendation of a friend, I have been able to pass my working day with ease. Journalist Karina Longworth‘s (my new she-ro) and her podcast, “You Must Remember This,” have become an essential  part of my podcasting life. Each episode begins with the haunting titular refrain taken from “As Time Goes By,” the song made famous (of course) by the 1942 classic Casablanca. The broadcast then proceeds to pass by in a brisk 45 minutes (more or less), as it explores “the secret and/or forgotten histories of Hollywood’s first century.”

It is a heavy lift to be sure – considering there have been many, many tawdry stories chronicling Hollywood acts of ill repute. Scandals, intrigues and conspiracies abound in her reportage, which in some cases, she has conveniently grouped together by theme (e.g. “Charles Mason in Hollywood” or “MGM Stories”). Through thorough research, Ms. Longowrth  constructs a narrative as close to the truth as she can find and substantiate. I think this is my favorite part of the podcast – especially when it comes to deconstructing tales that have passed through the generations as fact – for instance, answering questions that I have had, including Was Errol Flynn really a Nazi spy? Listen to find out 🙂

Also really cool is that she is open to listener feedback about what subject to cover; if she chooses your listener suggestion you get a shout out! Not that this is an incentive or anything but since listening to her podcast, I have put together my own list of subjects I would like to find out more about.

Screen Shot 2015-11-07 at 1.32.38 PM
A screencap from the site for the podcast, “You Must Remember This.”

Give it a listen. I am sure you will be glad you did.

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Scary Movie, Part I: The Innocents (1961)

This post is the first in my two-part Scary Movie(s) series to “honor” the rapidly-approaching Halloween festivities.

Today I will offer for your consideration a frightfully classic Gothic ghost story – The Innocents, a British production from the year 1961. Originally released in the UK release in late November of that year, it got its United States premiere on Christmas Day – just in time for that most jolly of holidays …

An adaptation of Henry James’ Turn of the Screw, The Innocents stars Deborah Kerr as a governess whose charges exhibit increasingly strange behavior, leading to some shocking and mind boggling action.

With a screenplay by Truman Capote and direction courtesy of Jack Clayton, The Innocents is a mind-bending example of how horror/terror can be just as unsettling (in some cases more so) than even a film containing an astronomical level of blood and gore (see stab-squish-splat).

In other words, The Innocents is totally comfortable and effective in creating a menacing atmosphere through things unseen, courtesy of some expert lighting, black and white cinematography, and an accompanying haunting soundtrack composed by Georges Auric*.

There are many other details about the story that I know I am missing – with very good reason. Films like this, that play with me on a deeply psychological level, often cause me to block out some details, big and small. If that is not a ringing endorsement as to the merits of The Innocents as a film that deserves to be considered in the pantheon of “all time scary movies,” I do not know what is. In fact, many contemporary films, notably 2001’s The Others starring Nicole Kidman, owe a great stylistic debt to this film. Fun fact: the a portion of The Innocents’ soundtrack was sampled and placed on the “cursed tape” in the 2002 film The Ring.

InnocentsFeat2

Courtesy of the Criterion Collection website, there is a gallery of some the behind the scenes photos. I imagine these are included in the jam-packed special edition DVD/BD that went on sale last month. Check local and online merchants for pricing information.

Have you seen The Innocents? Let me know what you thought below in the Comments section.

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* Among Auric’s film credits: Dead of Night (1945), Roman Holiday (1953), The Wages of Fear (1953), Beauty and the Beast (1946), The Lavender Hill Mob (1951).

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